Compiled by the Espresso Addict

Espresso Recommendations

Innovative and stylish fanfiction, showcasing the very best across multiple sf, fantasy & literature fandoms. Good writing in all its forms can be found here, including gen, het, slash, OCs, AUs, crossovers, future fics, humour & pastiche

Contents: 1010 recs in 235 fandoms; 65 links

Eagle of the Ninth

A Broken Spear by Isis

'A year, Liathan thought, should have been sufficient. An entire year to wash away his shame in the turning of the wheel of the seasons, to make him new and whole again.' A thoughtful study of the aftermath of The Eagle of the Ninth from the loser's point of view. The drumbeat motif binds the vignette together

[Added 19/07/2012; Character Piece; 2500-6000; Rosemary Sutcliff – Eagle of the Ninth]

Fastened Down by Sineala

'His fate and that damned Aquila's were as weights on the opposite ends of a scale. And now, as Aquila's fortunes rose, his own were sinking. Aquila must have done something to him. There could be no other explanation.' A delicious little humorous take on post-canon Placidus. Sineala really knows her history

[Added 15/01/2019; Humour; 1000-2500; Rosemary Sutcliff – Eagle of the Ninth]

Like a Lioness by Tanaqui

'"A Red Crest?" Shula snorted. "We should knife him and throw him on the dung-heap for the dogs!" / Murna had been about to kneel again, but she swung her head up, sudden fury surging within her. "Has he not claimed the guest-right?" True, the man was more outside than in, but he had crossed the threshold.' The herstory of Murna & Guern. A brilliant example of canonically plausible minor character building, which, in the words of the recipient, is 'practically Jane Austen in Roman Britain'. Simply adorable!

[Added 14/01/2019; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Rosemary Sutcliff – Eagle of the Ninth]

To Suffer Brave Things by Carmarthen

'Placidus knew he was handsome, and he had the connections and wealth to do much for a man who pleased him. ... And no one had ever been any less than pleased with him, he was sure of it, except perhaps Claudia, and that was only because she was a chaste woman who did not feel such desires.' A meaty novelette, mixing book & film canon, that tells of how Placidus grows up. Book-Placidus seems to exist to be Marcus's opposite, and I love stories like this that develop a more-balanced picture. I suspect his portrayal here could be classified on the autism spectrum, and his fumblings towards a meaningful relationship with his wife feel raw & authentic. There's bags of fascinating historical details to enjoy along the way, too [archive locked]

[Added 15/01/2019; Romance/Erotica; 6000-20,000; Rosemary Sutcliff – Eagle of the Ninth; Adult]